Day 39 of the Meaning(less) Reading Plan

Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man? For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun? (Ecclesiastes 6:10-12 ESV)

Every child goes through the annoying phase of asking the never-ending question of “why”. My children were no exception to this phase. In fact, they are still going through it. For them there is never a resolve to life’s most pressing questions. For example: Child: “Why is the grass green?” Me: “Because grass produces a bright pigment called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll mostly reflects green light.” Child: “Why?” Me: “Well, because I also fertilize it and I have an unusual obsession with grass.” Child: “Why?” “Because I like green lush grass.” Child: “Why?” Me: Because I have an old man’s soul?” Child: “Why?” Me: “Because my father and grandfather made me cut the grass as a young child.” Child: “Why?” Me: Walks away in frustration…

It seems that some of us adults never grow out of this phase. We are wanting to know answers to some of life’s most pressing questions and we get frustrated when we hit dead ends. Solomon is telling us that it is meaningless to dispute and question the creator of the cosmos. It simply doesn’t do any good to dispute or argue with God. Continuously asking God “why” will lead to more questions and more frustrations. However, our lack of answers should lead us to a deeper faith in God.

An explanation to your questions doesn’t always mean you will find a resolve in your soul. Do the results of an X-ray bring healing? It provides an answer but it doesn’t provide healing. What God knows and what he wills is ultimately for our good, because He knows more about who we are and the situations we are in than we do.

I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing to ask questions, but ultimately if we get caught up in the questions we could possibly miss the valuable lessons that God is trying to teach us. God does not feel threatened when we question him, but it is important to love Him and trust the plan that he has for us.

“Infinite wisdom dictates what absolute sovereignty decrees. God is never arbitrary, or tyrannical. He does as he wills, but he always wills to do that which is not only most for his own glory, but also most for our real good.” – Charles H. Spurgeon